"More chicken," said Steve, holding up a plate wiped clean.

"Please," suggested Mike.

"Please," agreed Steve.

"I'd like some more mashed potatoes," put in Richard.

"Certainly." Grandma smiled. "Now, Lt. Gable, you tell these boys again to let the police handle this kind of thing from now on."

"I'll try," he promised. "But I doubt it'll do any good. Finding Kerrick was a real service, you know. He'll testify that Worden killed the shop owner."

Steve wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "Sometimes you gotta take a little risk," he said, "for real flavor."

Grandpa shook his head. "Mike, I hope this teaches you a lesson: never pick up a hitchhiker again. You're a lucky young man."

"Yes, sir."

That was Mike; he didn't even have to think about it.

© Copyright David T. Jarvis 1997, 1998, 1999

All Rights Reserved.